Let's fix this word

I think we’d pay more attention to the infrastructure if it were called
something other than
the infrastructure.

The roads, bridges, water pipes, sewers and utility lines that make the
country work are, as we’re often told, in sad shape.

We’re also told that it’s difficult to get people to care about such things. I
think that contention is nonsense. People may have a hard time understanding foreign policy or
education reform or climate change. But potholes and rickety bridges? Who doesn’t understand
that?

No, I think the problem has to be the word
infrastructure itself. It’s long, bureaucratic and not at all fun to say. We need a better
word.

What are some possible alternatives?

We could refer to the national
foundation. Everyone with a house understands the
importance of a foundation. But
foundation is limited. The national roof, the national
garage, the national attic, the national plumbing and the national electrical panel also need
attention.

Furnishings doesn’t do it either. That sounds like we
need to reupholster the national Barcalounger.

If it weren’t so informal, I’d vote for national
innards. Everyone knows that when the innards are going
bad, big trouble is on the horizon.

Core is another possibility, although saying we need to
strengthen the core sounds like a call for the nation to do abdominal crunches.

I kind of like the synonym offered by an on-line dictionary:
backbone. The nation needs to strengthen its backbone. That could have several
interpretations, but I’d agree with most of them.

Backbone leads me to
spine, which, in the case of vertebrates, serves as structural support, nerve center and
communications pathway. That leaves out plumbing, but I think it comes pretty close to describing
what the infrastructure does.

Let’s test it in some headlines:

Nation’s spine deteriorating

Day of reckoning approaches for national spine.

Spinal repairs urgent.

Yes, I think that works. Let’s all start saying it and perhaps repairs to the
nation’s spine will get the attention they deserve. And then we can begin fighting over how to pay
for them.